As Paddy said to me on the phone, this is about as close as we'll ever get to Andrea Mitchell saying "F*** you" to someone. I was right there with her, he was obnoxious. The look on her face in my screen grab above says it all:

We are now in day eight of the government shutdown that we have been told was unthinkable and wouldn't happen. Now we learn that the families of our soldiers killed in Afghanistan are being denied benefits because of this colossal failure of leadership. [Please read David's post, U.S. Shutdown Denies Fallen Soldiers Survivor's Benefits] How do you tell that to the families whose loved ones gave their lives for all of us?...

But the larger point, Congressman Duffy, is these mini CRs-- mini continuing resolutions-- that's the whole question of taking little pieces of the government. The issue is not that this is a small matter, it's a very big matter, but so is the matter of the kids in Head Start.

So is the problem of the single moms who aren't getting food stamps and aren't getting their help.

So down the road are the survivors benefits and that fund is going to run out in weeks if not months.

So you can't take this piecemeal, Congressman. Isn't the issue that someone has to sit down and figure out what to do about the stalemate that has led to this disgrace?...

Congressman, you're asking him -- that's a nonnegotiable demand. Why not sit down and negotiate over entitlement reform, which is something you all have been demanding and that he has offered in his initial budget? You're putting on the table a nonnegotiable demand.

Then Duffy went on a rant blaming the media for, well, everything. That didn't sit too well with Andrea Mitchell.

We've asked questions of both sides. that's not fair.

But Duffy kept ranting and browbeating.

Mitchell:

With all due respect, this is about military death benefits to kids, 19-year-old kids who died in Afghanistan and who are not returning home, this is about what their families are entitled to by law and what they are not getting.

This is not about what you want in Obamacare and not about what the president wants on the debt ceiling.

Duffy:

Don't spin that on me.

Pot. Kettle. Spin.

Mitchell:

You consider it a small ask that he gets rid of the central part of his health care plan that was upheld by the vote, of a presidential election and the United States Supreme Court?

No, she'd be grilling the GOP for not going to conference 6 mos ago after the Senate passed their bill and sent it over.

But alas, she cares more about military families than the GOP which is holding the world hostage regarding the debt limit, and holding the US hostage via the shutdown. Nice try.

Oh, and speaking of bitchy mouthpieces, sexist much?

Patti

This is the same pathetic excuse that whined he can't get by on his $175,000.00 a year salary. Disgusting.

Wes Stephens

Hardly. If she were worried she'd be grilling Dem Senators for not passing the House bill...or at least in favor of the bill the House is putting forward to pay the military families. But alas, she's not really worried about them, only a mouthpiece for the Obama admin...and bitchy mouthpiece at that.

Jeannie Beanie

Rep. Duffy keeps saying that individuals should be treated as businesses. OK -we won't pay any taxes, get tax breaks to create jobs that never happen and send lobbyist to get laws passed so we can do illegal things legally.

Paul Gibler

This guy is a disgrace to the state of Wisconsin. He should be dumped ASAP.